Emergency Dental Care in Elgin: What to Do in a
Dental Crisis
No one expects to have a dental emergency, but it can happen. So, it’s important to know how to recognize a dental emergency and what to do if you or your child has a dental emergency. You’ve already taken a big step in preparing yourself for a dental emergency by choosing a dentist who provides emergency dental care.
Common Dental Emergencies and Dental Emergency First Aid
Avulsed (Knocked-Out) Tooth
If you have a knocked-out tooth, do not touch the roots. Only handle it by the chewing portion of the tooth. If you can, gently place it back in the socket (in the proper orientation). If the socket is too swollen, do not force it. Instead, put it in milk or hold it inside your mouth between your gums and cheek.
Seek dental care immediately. The tooth needs to be replaced within about 30 minutes to be saved.
Luxated (Dislodged) Tooth
If a tooth becomes loose or moved in the mouth as a result of an injury, seek immediate emergency dental care. The tooth can often be moved back into the proper place and saved with prompt attention.
If a permanent tooth becomes loose without an injury occurring, this can be an indication of infection or other issues, you should seek dental attention right away.
An Impact on the Mouth, Face, or Jaw
A persistent or severe toothache is a sign of a medical problem. You can treat your pain at home with over-the-counter medications and a cold compress, but you should contact the dentist right away for an examination.
Abscessed Tooth or Infection
Oral infections are serious. Left unaddressed, a bacterial infection inside the mouth can spread to other parts of the body, including the brain. Signs and symptoms of an infection can include swelling, fever, visible pus, red gums, a tooth that feels raised or longer than normal, tender gums, bleeding gums, or red gums.
Rinsing with warm salt water at home can help alleviate the pain of an infection, but antibiotics are necessary for treatment.
Uncontrolled Bleeding
Any form of uncontrolled bleeding is an emergency. At home, apply gauze and a cold compress to help slow the bleeding and seek professional treatment as soon as possible.
Broken Tooth
A chipped, broken, or fractured tooth can be a dental emergency. If the break is significant enough, it can expose the inside of the tooth to infection, putting the tooth at risk of being lost. Additionally, chipped teeth can be sharp and damage the soft tissues inside the mouth.
Apply a dab of dental wax to the broken tooth to protect your soft tissues and seek emergency care.
Loose Dental Filling or Crown
A loose dental filling or dental crown can leave your tooth exposed to bacterial infection. Seal or secure your lost filling or loose crown with temporary dental cement and contact the dentist right away.
Steps to Take Before Reaching the Dentist
In the event of a dental emergency, first administer any first aid that might be immediately necessary.
Creating an Emergency Dental Care Kit
We recommend including the following items in an emergency dental care kit:
Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help reduce oral pain and swelling
A cold pack to reduce pain and swelling
Topical, oral anesthetics such as Orajel to help with pain from damaged soft tissue
Dental wax for patients with orthodontic appliances
A temporary repair kit for dental crowns and fillings
Gauze and/or cotton balls to help stymie bleeding
Dental floss
A dental mirror
A small, plastic container for dental prosthetics, appliances, or displaced teeth.
Medical-grade gloves
Follow-Up Care After Dental Emergencies
Depending on the type of emergency you have had, follow-up care may or may not be necessary. Our dentist will discuss any ongoing care or follow-up appointments at the time of your emergency treatment.
Emergency Dentistry at Bright Valley Dental
Dr. Varma and the team at Bright Valley Dental are here for you when you need us most. We offer emergency dentistry to help you find relief while safeguarding your oral health. We understand that dental emergencies often occur at the most inopportune times, and that’s why we provide same-day, prioritized emergency dental care.
If you experience a dental emergency, we encourage you to contact our dental office in Elgin, Illinois to request an emergency appointment.
FAQ
Dental implants can last 15 to 20 years or even longer with proper care and maintenance.
The dental implant procedure is performed by providing local anesthesia, which minimizes the discomfort during the process. Some soreness or discomfort may occur during the healing period, but it can be managed with pain medication.
While many individuals are candidates for dental implants, a thorough evaluation by a dentist or oral surgeon is necessary to determine suitability. Factors like overall health, jawbone density, and oral hygiene habits may influence candidacy.
